Illinois High School Basketball - Lovejoy overwhelmed by Meridian

With the win, Meridian upgrades its record to 7-0 on the season. The Bobcats host Vienna (Vienna, IL) to encounter the Eagles in a non-league bout on Tuesday, December 6. The Eagles go into the bout with a record of 1-2.

Next up, the Wildcats encounter the Sumner Bulldogs (St. Louis, MO) in a non-league bout, on Monday, December 12. Lovejoy will attempt to upgrade on its 2-5 season record.

Coaches Summary

First Quarter

Despite the fact that shooting guard Cameron Ballard scored eight points and 6'4" swingman Jerry Johnson adding the remaining seven of Meridian's fifteen first quarter tallies allowing the 'Cats to lead 15-5, the first period was probably the Bobcats poorest quarter of the year. Too many defensive mistakes, rushed three point attempts, turnovers and failues to finish on point blank shots.

Second Quarter

The Wildcats of Lovejoy and the Bobcats of Meridian played virtually an even second period with Meridian outscoring the visitors by a single tally as they took an eleven point advantage to the locker room at half time. DaMarko Ransom who had sat out most of the first period because he was called for two personal fouls in the first three minutes of the game, scored seven points in a two minute span as six Bobcats found their way into the score book helping the 'Cats to at 35-24 half time lead.

Third Quarter

The third stanza was once again the Cam Ballard and Jerry Johnson show as Cam tallied ten and JJ added nine more helping the Bobcats to a commanding 57-33 lead as Meridian outscored the visitors 22-9 during the quarter.

Fourth Quarter

As it has been the pattern through the previous six games of this season the fourth quarter belonged to the Bobcat subs as they contributed 16 of the 24 points scored in the period by the host team. Greg Hopkins stroked a duo of three pointers and 6'4" sopomore, Meekiel Steele, added three more buckets as the Meridian subs kept the running game going to the final buzzer with the scoreboard reading 83-45 in favor of the home team.